Last night we had the unique privilege of attending our nieces high school graduation from the Lummi Nation High School. It was really special. It started with a community dinner; salmon, chicken, clams, shrimp, salads, roasted red potatoes fry bread... yum!
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| Kristina, class of 2011 with her dad, Andy (Bruce's brother) |
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After dinner the commencement, which began with a color guard procession, then the Lummi Blackhawk Singers. Next came the Tribal Elders and finally, the graduating class of 2011!
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| Kristina lower right panel, leading the way. |
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| Kristina with her proud parents. Note these wooden paddles in lower right panel. These are known as 'clappers' and we all were given a pair to use to clap with during the ceremony! |
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| another cool thing; each student carried a large paddle and presented their paddle to their parent after they proceeded in to the gym. |
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| Kristina, Salutatorian of the class gave a great speech! |
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| She received a great scholarship which will be put to use this coming fall! |
Native Pride is huge. Family and community are incredibly important. Each person that spoke started by giving their name, the names of their parents, grandparents and even great grandparents. It was important to acknowledge who they were and where they came from. The start of the ceremony began with a young boy telling the history of how the Lummi's came to be in North Puget Sound. It, amazingly enough, is a Flood Story. ( many, many cultures have their version of the Flood--- yes the one recorded in our bibles)
After a 2 hour program which included speeches from Tribal members, college recruiters and several students and teachers, the diplomas were awarded and the loud clapping and cheering really started. The recessional led out to the football field where the hugs and high fives took place.
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| uncle Bruce gives some cryptic advice to a skeptical graduate. |
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| check out this awesome cap~~ the student's made-- wove-- their own caps! And the gowns were beautiful with the native symbols on the front. |
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| Dad Andy, Grad Kristina, little sister Sarah and mom Geneva |
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| the Burke Boys-- Keith, Bruce and Andrew. yah, they don't look related at all.... ;) |
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| Auntie and Uncle with Kristina. |
A proud moment for all of us. Congratulations again Miss Kristina Deliah Ann Burke!
What a cool graduation! It warms my heart to see so much Native pride!! Congratulations to your niece on a job well done :)
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